The Third Congress of the R.S.D.L.P.

April 12 (25)-April 27 (May 10), 1905

Speech on the Report on the Work of the Central Committee

April 25 (May 8)

Actually,the report on the work of the Central Committee dealt more with its
technical than its political activities. I have been following the work of the
central apparatus of the Party since 1900 and I must say that gigantic progress
has been made. If it does not quite satisfy us, well, complete satisfaction can
be expected only under the dictatorship of the proletariat, and even then,
hardly! Let us not forget that co-optation” is still working harm! The
C.C. had little to say about its policies, for it cannot say anything good about
them. Its major mistake was its opposition to the calling of the Congress. Had
the Congress been called a year earlier, it would have proved more
conciliatory. I am myself in favour of cashiering; but I am definitely against
it in one case—if it is done because of agitation for the
Congress. However, I shall not dwell on this. There is more joy over one sinner
that repenteth than over ninety and nine just

per sons.As to the reproaches
levelled at me, let me say only that a publicist is not in a position to do
anything without the Party.